title: Tracheostomy after severe ischemic stroke: a population-based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stroke can result in varying degrees of respiratory failure. Some patients require tracheostomy in order to facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation, long-term airway protection, or a combination of the two. Little is known about the rate and predictors of this outcome in patients with severe stroke. We aim to determine the rate of tracheostomy after severe ischemic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2007 to 2009, patients hospitalized with ischemic stroke were identified based on validated International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification codes. Next, patients with stroke were stratified based on whether they were treated with or without decompressive craniectomy, and the rate of tracheostomy for each group was determined. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of tracheostomy after decompressive craniectomy. Survey weights were used to obtain nationally representative estimates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 1,550,000 patients discharged with ischemic stroke nationwide, the rate of tracheostomy was 1.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-1.4%), with a 1.3% (95% CI, 1.1-1.4%) rate in patients without decompressive craniectomy and a 33% (95% CI, 26-39%) rate in the surgical treatment group. Logistic regression analysis identified pneumonia as being significantly associated with tracheostomy after decompressive craniectomy (odds ratio, 3.95; 95% CI, 1.95-6.91).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tracheostomy is common after decompressive craniectomy and is strongly associated with the development of pneumonia. Given its impact on patient function and potentially modifiable associated factors, tracheostomy may warrant further study as an important patient-centered outcome among patients with stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: walcott.brian@mgh.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Brian P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Walcott
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Hooman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kamel
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Brandyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: W Taylor
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Kimberly
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Kevin N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Sheth
mesh_terms: D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D056424:Decompressive Craniectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000639:trends*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Brain edema; brain injuries; decompressive craniectomy; intracranial pressure; stroke; tracheostomy